Three tips for teaching your kids healthy eating habits

Friday, July 18, 2014 8:29:51 PM America/Los_Angeles

Remember the days when you weren't allowed to leave the dinner table until you finished all the food on your plate? That rule has disappeared in many families, possibly because portion control has been pushed to the front burner in the fight against childhood obesity. But a new study raises some interesting questions about whose portion decision really matters at the family supper table.

1. Kids eat more when parents eat more. A new study released in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition evaluated the eating habits of parents and children. Specifically, researchers wanted to see if the amount of food that children consumed was affected by the amount of food that parents served themselves. Not surprisingly, study authors found that kids were likely to eat larger portions if parents served themselves larger portions.

2. Raise healthier kids. Children model their parents' behavior. But the research serves as a reminder that it's not just what we eat that we need to be mindful of, but also how much we eat that matters. If we want to raise healthy kids, we need to teach them how to exercise moderation when serving themselves food portions at mealtime and throughout the day.

3. Avoid portion size mistakes. There are a few different ways to be more mindful of your own portion control habits in the home. The first step is to fully understand serving size. This handy reference can serve as a guide for how much food you should eat at each sitting. There are also some foods we are more likely to overeat - like cereal. Find out what they are and measure them if necessary so you don't eat too much. It's handy to keep a digital cooking scale in the kitchen and check your portions from time to time.